Pasco proposes closing, merging 3 schools into single K-8 campus
In an effort to maximize the efficiency of its space and staff, the Pasco County school district has proposed closing one of its under-capacity elementary schools and merging it with a nearby elementary-middle campus to become a kindergarten through eighth-grade school.
The recommendation to combine Calusa Elementary with Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle, which sit about a mile away on Ridge Road west of Little Road, is set to go before the school board Sept. 10. If approved, the change would take place in August 2025.
Families got word of the plan via calls and emails on Thursday, while staff members were informed in meetings.
School district planning director Chris Williams said the idea arose largely because of low enrollment at two of the campuses.
Calusa Elementary sat at about 58% capacity after two weeks of classes this year, while Chasco Elementary was at 95% and Chasco Middle was at 73%.
In addition to being under capacity, Williams said, Calusa “is an older school and it would cost a lot to remodel. ... This is an opportunity to bring a true K-8 school to that community.”
Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle sit beside each other but currently operate separately.
The K-8 model has proven increasingly popular in Pasco and around the Tampa Bay area, where both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties have converted schools to house kindergarten through eighth grades at the request of parents.
Pasco opened Starkey Ranch K-8 in Trinity three years ago and Kirkland Ranch K-8 in Wesley Chapel this year. It is building Skybrooke K-8 to open next year in Lutz.
“They like the continuity that students have there,” school board member Cynthia Armstrong said.
K-8 schools also are getting positive student results, added board chairperson Megan Harding.
Neither board member would commit to supporting the proposal, saying they wanted to hear more information from the public and the administration first. Still, both said on first impression the idea looked promising.
“From the numbers, it makes sense,” Harding said.
Armstrong said the district needs to be efficient with its resources. Closing and merging schools would allow for the elimination of some duplicate positions, including principals and office staff.
Harding said she would want to make sure teachers stay with their students as much as possible.
If the board approves the concept, the district would conduct public hearings as it redraws attendance zones. In recent years, the district also has closed and repurposed Hudson Elementary and Locke Elementary, in part because of low enrollments.
Jeffrey S. Solochek is an education reporter covering K-12 education policy and schools. Reach him at jsolochek@tampabay.com.